Australian Land Speed Record Broken

csv8 · 26-02-2013, 10:26 AM

WITH the Australian land speed record under his belt, Logan City speed demon Trevor Slaughter wants to take on the world.

On a test run at the salt lakes in South Australia last Friday, the 58-year-old surpassed all expectations in his car's maiden voyage by reaching 407km/h.

That was 80.46km/h faster than the previous record.

Mr Slaughter now wants to be the first Australian to crack the world record for a wheel-driven vehicle - as opposed to a jet-powered car - by reaching at least 800km/h this year.

His son, Ben, said: "On all of the runs the car was at full throttle for less then 10 seconds. To get out there and already be half way to our goal is incredible."

But it wasn't all plain sailing as cracks developed in the bodywork and wind gusts on one run damaged the nose, resulting in emergency repairs.

Trevor, a former drag racer, has spent 30 years planning the attempt and more than six years building his vehicle, so far spending about $1.5 million.

The car will fitted with a 4900 horsepower Chinook helicopter engine on the next attempt.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questn...-1226585464606

EDManual · 26-02-2013, 11:10 AM

i thought the falcon taxi did about that speed the other day??

Jason[98.EL] · 26-02-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDManual

i thought the falcon taxi did about that speed the other day??

yup it did

Norm Bradshaw has broken the 400kph barrier with a Stella run at 408.7kph on the first day of Speed Week held at sunny lake Gairdner in Sth Australia .

mike_nofx · 26-02-2013, 11:42 AM

Meh...

30 years planning and 6 years building... To reach a speed possible by some cars right out of the factory?

Also, being excited about being half way to your goal? Are owners of 20 second 1/4mile cars excited theyre only half way to a 10 second pass?

5thFordWA · 26-02-2013, 03:00 PM

Good on Mr Slaughter for this achievement, but I had in my mind (being an old fart) that Donald Campbell did 403.1 MPH in a wheel-driven vehicle (Bluebird - CN7) at Lake Eyre in 1964. I know that was a turbine engine driving through the wheels - maybe the difference between classes relates to piston engines vs turbine engines, or some other factor?

Quote Wiki (Donald Campbell):
"Campbell and his team returned to Lake Eyre in 1964, but the surface never returned to the promise it had held in 1962 and Campbell had to battle with CN7 to reach record speeds (over 400 mph (640 km/h)). After more light rain in June, the lake finally began to dry enough for an attempt to be made. On 17 July 1964, Campbell set a record of 403.10 mph (648.73 km/h) for a four-wheeled vehicle (Class A). Campbell was disappointed with the record as the vehicle had been designed for much higher speeds. CN7 covered the final third of the measured mile at an average of 429 mph (690 km/h), peaking as it left the measured distance at over 440 mph (710 km/h)...............

Campbell's 429 mph (690 km/h) speed on his final Lake Eyre run remained the highest speed achieved by a wheel-driven car until 2001."

Just to put it in perspective.

Cheers.

Nikked · 26-02-2013, 05:57 PM

The reason why Norm Bradshaw's AU cannot claim the record is because there were not runs made in both directions, a requirement for an "official" record.

5thFordWA · 26-02-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5thFordWA

Campbell's 429 mph (690 km/h) speed on his final Lake Eyre run remained the highest speed achieved by a wheel-driven car until 2001."

On re-reading the news reports, I think that Slaughter has set the record for the fastest AUSTRALIAN in a wheel-driven vehicle. I don't think the news reporters worry about the difference too much!

bartaxr8 · 26-02-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

WITH the Australian land speed record under his belt, Logan City speed demon Trevor Slaughter wants to take on the world.

On a test run at the salt lakes in South Australia last Friday, the 58-year-old surpassed all expectations in his car's maiden voyage by reaching 407km/h.

That was 80.46km/h faster than the previous record.

Mr Slaughter now wants to be the first Australian to crack the world record for a wheel-driven vehicle - as opposed to a jet-powered car - by reaching at least 800km/h this year.

His son, Ben, said: "On all of the runs the car was at full throttle for less then 10 seconds. To get out there and already be half way to our goal is incredible."

But it wasn't all plain sailing as cracks developed in the bodywork and wind gusts on one run damaged the nose, resulting in emergency repairs.

Trevor, a former drag racer, has spent 30 years planning the attempt and more than six years building his vehicle, so far spending about $1.5 million.

The car will fitted with a 4900 horsepower Chinook helicopter engine on the next attempt.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questn...-1226585464606

I have been going to the Salt every year that is has been running since 2001.
It is an awesome event and something everybody should try and get to. I would like to tell a few truths as there seems to a fair bit of speculation out there.

I am sure that Trevor reliases that Sir Donalds speed is the quickest that a wheel driven car has travelled in Australia thus far. I fully exspect Trevor to surpass this, and wish him all the best of luck. His target of 800 KM/h is no small effort and will take some time to achieve.

I don't know where the paper got those fiqures from but there are several cars that have gone faster than 327 km/h, which is what the paper states was the record. Off the top of my head there are:

John Lynchs Bellytank: 301.729 MPH (485 km/hr)
Rod Hadfields Commodore: 259.067 MPH (416 km/hr)
John Noonan Hayabusa: 235.740 MPH (379 km/hr). I know it is a bike but it is still wheel driven. I'm sure there are more but these ones stick in my head.

I happen to be part of John Lynchs crew and fully expect Trevor to surpass our 301 MPH mark. All I am trying to say is please don't believe everything you read in the papers.

This year we had a good run going, running 267 MPH on a short course run and then on our second run we were doing 265 MPH at the first timer and 277 MPH at the second, when the engine failed. Here a few pics of the car:

For all of the results from this year please visit this page:

http://www.dlra.org.au/2013.htm

From there you can acess all of the speeds from years gone by, rules and regulations, no bull.

Yes, that is our Commodore push car.

bartaxr8 · 26-02-2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

The reason why Norm Bradshaw's AU cannot claim the record is because there were not runs made in both directions, a requirement for an "official" record.

There is no requirement for a run to have to be done in both directions for that run to be reconised as a record in Australia, that is a U.S thing. We don't have the logistics, or the time for a run in both directions.

Nikked · 27-02-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartaxr8

There is no requirement for a run to have to be done in both directions for that run to be reconised as a record in Australia, that is a U.S thing. We don't have the logistics, or the time for a run in both directions.

Its a FIA thing isn't it? So, if someone sets a record as not part of the DLRA, it would be internationally recognised as the fastest?

XWGT · 27-02-2013, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

The reason why Norm Bradshaw's AU cannot claim the record is because there were not runs made in both directions, a requirement for an "official" record.

I really wish someone could clarify this as the website is useless

http://www.dlra.org.au/2013.htm#RESULTS

Claims that the AU did 250pm this time around but its best is still 192mph?

Thats a massive increase and dosnt seem plausible

Can anyone actually confirm did the AU run 408 kph or 320 kph??????

**Sorted** · 27-02-2013, 01:17 PM

what is pm?

It is mph isnt it as 250.90mph is 403.78kph

XWGT · 27-02-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorted

what is pm?

It is mph isnt it as 250.90mph is 403.78kph

mph

Its states he clocked 250 MPH but it also states his best is 192 MPH....something wrong there.

Road_Warrior · 27-02-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartaxr8

I have been going to the Salt every year that is has been running since 2001.
It is an awesome event and something everybody should try and get to.

It's on my bucket list, I can assure you.

**Sorted** · 27-02-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XWGT

mph

Its states he clocked 250 MPH but it also states his best is 192 MPH....something wrong there.

Cause it is a mistake - I will email them to get it fixed

Quote:

NOTE: These are provisional results only. Once all vehicle classes have been confirmed, records will then be determined.
There were a number of drivers/riders in diferent vehicles please ensure that we have the details correct and notify me ASAP if changes need to be made drylakesracersau@hotmail.com

bartaxr8 · 27-02-2013, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XWGT

I really wish someone could clarify this as the website is useless

http://www.dlra.org.au/2013.htm#RESULTS

Claims that the AU did 250pm this time around but its best is still 192mph?

Thats a massive increase and dosnt seem plausible

Can anyone actually confirm did the AU run 408 kph or 320 kph??????

I can assure you that Norm did 250 MPH, I was standing in his pits when he returned. He was over the moon. This run was done without the extra boost and without any ice in the intercooler.

All results on the 2013 Results page are provisional until confimed by the D.L.R.A Officials.

bartaxr8 · 27-02-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Its a FIA thing isn't it? So, if someone sets a record as not part of the DLRA, it would be internationally recognised as the fastest?

I have no idea if our records are internationally reconised or not. As I said, we don't have the time or logistics to run in the opposite direction.

EDManual · 28-02-2013, 10:57 AM

Sounds like an awesome thing to attend! Will try to one day!